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Welcome to Camp Au Pair in America!

When kids are out of school for the summer, it doesn’t take long for them to become bored and sometimes that leads to sibling squabbles and mischief. Even though they don’t realize it, they are usually missing routine and predictability in their daily schedule. One solution is to make fun plans to keep them busy! 

Each week this summer we will share a different Camp Au Pair theme. These weekly themes are designed to give you ideas to keep your host kids occupied and engaged all summer long. They will also be learning. (But shhhh, don’t tell them that part.) Check back each Friday, for the next week’s theme. This gives you a chance to make plans and gather materials for the next week. For each theme there will be crafts, games, snacks and activities. You can just use these ideas or add your own and customize the themes to fit the ages and interests of your host children.

Here are the themes you can look forward to:

  • Nature Exploration
  • Art Experiences
  • Under the Sea
  • Science (STEM)
  • Bugs & Butterflies
  • Cars and Trucks
  • Backyard Safari
  • Dinosaurs
  • Explore the World
  • Outer Space
  • Pirate Adventures
  • Princesses & Knights

Check out Summer Fun & Summer Holidays pin boards for even more ideas.

If you get some great pictures doing these activities with your host kids, please send those to your community counselor. We love to share your accomplishments and inspire other au pairs!

Let’s make this an amazing summer!

St. Patrick’s Day

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What is St. Patrick’s Day and why is it celebrated?  See below.

St. Patrick’s Day celebration in Pittsburgh (fair warning – it is CRAZY!!!!!!)

http://www.pittsburghmagazine.com/Best-of-the-Burgh-Blogs/The-412/March-2015/5-Dont-Miss-Events-in-Pittsburghs-St-Patricks-Week-Celebration/

http://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2015/03/11/Pittsburgh-officials-outline-plans-for-Saturday-s-St-Patrick-s-Day-festivities/stories/201503110180

If celebrating, please be safe!!!!

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The Charitable Irish Society of Boston organized the first observance of Saint Patrick’s Day in the United States in 1737.  The tradition of celebrating this day continued to grow with the influx of Irish immigrants to the United States.

St Patrick’s Day, on March 17, remembers one of Ireland’s patron saints, St Patrick. It largely celebrates Irish-American culture in the United States but many non – Irish descendants enjoy the celebrations too . Celebrations include Irish themed parties, drinks and food. Many people get into the spirit by dressing in green clothing and eating green colored food. Irish clubs and pubs often hold parties.

St Patrick’s Day is not a federal holiday in the United States. Schools, businesses and organizations are open as usual. Public transport systems run on their regular schedules. The parades may be on or around March 17, so it is a good idea to check local sources for the exact location, date and time.  Many parades are held throughout the country to celebrate the holiday. New York City  has become the largest Saint Patrick’s Day parade in the world, outside Ireland. Thousands  participate in the parade, including bands, firefighters, military and police groups, county associations, emigrant societies, and social and cultural clubs and was watched by close to 2 million spectators lining the streets. The parade marches up 5th Avenue in Manhattan and is always led by the U.S. 69th Infantry Regiment. New York politicians – or those running for office – are always found prominently marching in the parade. 

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The most common St Patrick’s Day symbol is the shamrock. The shamrock is the leaf of the clover plant and a symbol of the Holy Trinity

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 For fun ideas to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day including arts and crafts for children check out our Au Pair in America Pinterest page https://www.pinterest.com/aupairinamerica/st-patrick-s-day-shenanigans/

 

Martin Luther King, Jr. “I Have a Dream”

“I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.”
Martin Luther King, I Have a Dream Quote

MartinLutherKingJr

Martin Luther King Jr. Day (officially Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.)[1] is an American federal holidaymarking the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. It is observed on the third Monday of January each year, which is around King’s birthday, January 15. The floating holiday is similar to holidays set under the Uniform Monday Holiday Act.

King was the chief spokesman for nonviolent activism in the civil rights movement, which successfully protested racial discrimination in federal and state law. The campaign for a federal holiday in King’s honor began soon afterhis assassination in 1968. President Ronald Reagan signed the holiday into law in 1983, and it was first observed three years later. At first, some states resisted observing the holiday as such, giving it alternative names or combining it with other holidays. It was officially observed in all 50 states for the first time in 2000.

To read the full I Have a dream Speech go to:

http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/mlkihaveadream.htm

Why Au Pair in America ??

Flexible and Dependable Care

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As a parent, you know that no two weeks are the same dealing with events, commitments and work. With an au pair, you will be able to create your own child care schedule of up to 10 hours per day, 45 hours per week (30 hrs per week for EduCare), providing the flexibility and convenience you need to simplify your life.  By having your child care provider living in your home it will be easier to adjust schedules when life’s little surprises, such as sick days, arise.

Full Service

With exceptional child care, you should expect exceptional service. You will receive comprehensive program support including assistance with selecting your au pair, coordinating logistics, providing orientation for your family and au pair, year-round local support, medical insurance for your au pair and 24/7 emergency assistance.

With a quarter century of experience, we are able to accommodate and anticipate the needs of host families. Our local, professional Community Counselors reside in your area and provide daily, ongoing, local support to you and your au pair to ensure a happy and successful experience.

An Enriching Experience

With Au Pair in America, your family is getting more than just great child care. Your children will receive a global education during their most formative years, learning about the world and your au pair’s culture and customs. In addition, many parents want their children to be bilingual and the constant exposure and reinforcement provided by an au pair are the best ways to immerse children in a new language.

A Cost-Effective Solution

You will receive 45 hours of child care for just $356 per week, regardless of how many children you have. If you have full-time school-age children we offer a 30 hour per week Educare® for just $286 per week.

When you compare the cost of to other child care solutions, including a Nanny or day care, you will find an au pair can be a surprisingly cost-effective. Choosing our Extended Payment Plan, spreading out payments several month makes it even more affordable.

Expert Matching

At Au Pair in America, we offer Expert Match, a flexible and effective approach to finding the caregiver that is a perfect fit for your family. You may search for your au pair utilizing our user-friendly online search tool, or work with our professional placement team who will assist in finding the perfect au pair for your family. Should you require additional assistance with either option, we are ready and willing to accommodate.

The Largest Selection

With Au Pair in America, you will have access to the largest pool of au pairs in the country. Applicants come from more than 60 countries on five continents and our multi-tiered screening ensures that only the most exceptional and qualified au pairs are accepted. View our au pairs available now.

Orientation and Training

Your au pair will have recent, practical child care experience, the details of which you will be able to review in their application. In addition, all our au pairs complete a pre-departure online training segment and attend a comprehensive four-day orientation program that features: child development training, child safety training, adaptation training and our exclusive customized Red Cross® training.

Program options to fit your family

Whether your children are infants or school aged, Au Pair in America has the solution for your family. Choose from Au Pair, Extraordinaire, or EduCare to satisfy your child care needs.

Organizational strength

Au Pair in America is a division of the American Institute For Foreign Study (AIFS), which has provided educational and cultural exchange programs for more than 45 years. Our resources enable reliable visa processing, comprehensive insurance for au pairs and discounts for host families interested in any of AIFS’s renowned programs.